Newbury man banned from pubs after brawl

Magistrates saw CCTV footage of a Newbury street brawl, which left one man unconscious

AN ALTERCATION outside a Newbury town centre pub turned into a running street brawl, Newbury magistrates heard last Thursday, January 20.

It ended with the aggressor, 21-year-old Paul Colin Thomas, lying unconscious on the pavement outside The Snooty Fox and with his friends under arrest.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident in which kicks and punches are exchanged and the protagonists wrestle on the ground as a passing car swerves to avoid the melee.

Claire French, prosecuting, said the incident began in the early hours of August 13 last year when Mr Thomas, of Barn Crescent, Newbury, was seen to pick up a pint glass from inside the pub and walk off up the street drinking from it.

She said he was challenged about this by a member of the bar staff, Ryan Carew and added: “There was an exchange of words, then the defendant headbutted Mr Carew twice.”

A brawl erupted, the court heard, leading to the arrest of Mr Thomas and his friends.

CCTV footage screened in court showed two groups grappling with each other and ended with someone restraining Mr Thomas and banging his head on the concrete.

Mr Thomas, who has three previous convictions, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Ian Campbell, defending, said his client had earlier been drinking at the Avenue nightclub in Saddlers Court and had had “far too many drinks.”

He added: “When I first saw him his face was in a real mess with a huge swelling on the bridge of his nose, which may have been broken, black eyes and blood all over his face. He had been kneed in the groin, had fallen over and had his head banged on the ground three times until he was unconscious.

“The court may take the view that he has already suffered a fairly direct punishment for his behaviour that evening.”

Mr Campbell said his client had since given up alcohol.

Presiding magistrate David Ball said: “While you were a full participant in that fracas, it's clear your companions were equally as guilty.”

Mr Thomas was made subject to a three month community order prohibiting him from entering any licensed premises in Newbury.

He was also ordered to pay £45 costs.